Welcome to the ECOS Archive 1974-2014

This month, ECOS moves to a new home, but its 41-year archive will continue to be freely accessible online. That archive tells the story of how sustainability science evolved in Australia. So where did it all begin?

Mary-Lou Considine
18-Feb-2015

In this issue

ECOS
Issue 203

Features

Can the property development industry deliver climate-ready cities?Developers often cop criticism for being environmental vandals who'd do anything in the name of profit. But the industry is complex, ranging from one-off ‘mum and dad' investors to global corporations. One thing they all have in common is that what they produce – residential and commercial developments – will need to perform in future environments that may call into question how or why the structures were built in the first place.

Australian farmers face increasing threat of new diseases: reportA nationwide outbreak of foot and mouth disease; an invasion of a devastating wheat disease; our honeybees completely wiped out. These are just three possible disastrous scenarios facing Australia; they're considered in the Australia’s Biosecurity Future report recently published by CSIRO and its partners.

Mapping East Asia’s disappearing tidal flatsWho speaks for the tidal flat? There are many voices for the mangrove forest, the coral reef and the seagrass meadow, but the chorus for the mud, sand and silt flats that sit hidden under shallow water for most of the tidal cycle is often silent.

Bushfires kill, but knowing exactly how might make them less deadlyThe latest round of bushfires, which claimed 27 homes in the Adelaide Hills, has once again highlighted the importance of planning for the worst. Mercifully, no human lives were lost, and it will be important to learn whatever lessons we can to avoid future tragedies.